Friday, February 29, 2008

It's Friday! It's Friday!

I ran across this blog post today and thought it was a great way to end the week :)

11 Ways the internet can make you happy.

Not a bad read at all! There are some great sites listed. Gretchen Rubin is a great, inspirational read!

Today, the weather is 70 degrees, partly cloudy - feels like spring! I wonder how long it will last! Ha Ha Hopefully long enough to get the sickies out of the house!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Tip of the Day: Down comforters should only be washed ever year or so to keep them in prime condition. When you do wash it, dry in a commercial-grade dryer on medium heat. While it may take forever, it will keep your comforter unscorched and wrinkle-free :)

Meet the Staff: Melissa

Last week on Meet the Staff I introduced all of you to Shanna. This week I am proud to present Melissa!
Melissa has been working for Interior Mall for a little over 1 year and we couldn't be happier with her. We used to joke for a long time that she was the office "Go getter".......in early, out late. She is one of the hard working girls in the Purchasing Department that gets all your orders placed with the manufacturers.
Yesterday, we sat down and had a chit chat to get to know Melissa a little better.

Carrie: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Melissa: The relaxed environment and I'm always learning something new.

Carrie: How would you describe your interior design taste?
Melissa: I tend to have more traditional taste when it comes to interior design.
Carrie: When not working, how do you spend your time?
Melissa: Spending time with son and husband usually watching a lot of baseball.

Carrie: One random question: Where is one place you would like to visit and why?
Melissa: Hawaii-beautiful scenery.

By the way....did you all know that Melissa is one heck of a dancer!

Button-Up Window Shade

I found a cute project today from Martha Stewart - Button-Up Window Shade. It is quite trendy to cover your windows with shades made of all kinds of things - from bamboo to fabric to traditional shade material. This article gives you step by step instructions for making a simple fabric window shade. Put it up with a tension rod and you have a custom window treatment that you can be proud of. Find everything you need to make this project at InteriorMall.com.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Art of Artwork

Artwork is one of those decorating elements that if done correctly makes a room look amazing, however, done wrong it can REALLY make a room look cluttered and disorganized. Given that spring time is looming and many people will start thinking about changing up their homes I have compiled a list of Artwork Hanging To Dos. Just changing the artwork of a room can make a huge difference in the decor.

To Do #1:
Make sure when hanging your artwork that the center point of the piece or grouping of pieces is eye level for the average person. It's not always possible but it is a good guideline to go by.

To Do #2: Art size should be related to wall size. You don't want a small piece for a large wall or a large piece for a small wall. Things need to be proportional.
Notice how in the photo the wall is more vertical than horizontal so they used a grouping of art pieces vertically to fill the space. A horizontal piece or grouping would not fill the height of the wall and make the space seem disproportional.

To Do #3: Check your colors. If you are wanting a room with calming qualities find artwork that has neutral tones and a serene picture. To add life to a room, use pieces that have bright colors and images. Typically an abstract does just the trick. Matting or framing the piece in a focal color of the room; for instance the color of a chair or window treatment really pulls all the elements of the room together.

To Do #4: Bigger is often better. One large painting keeps things simple and can also draw attention to a focal point of a room such as a fireplace or one large wall painted a specific color.

To Do #5:
Art should fit furniture size. Generally speaking, art hanging over furniture should NOT be longer than the width of the furniture. Keep it to about 75% of the width of the furniture.

To Do #6: Hang your piece or pieces low. When hanging the artwork, the bottom of the frame or canvas (if the piece isn't framed) should sit within 4-8" of the top of the table. This is an especially good rule of thumb when hanging artwork in a children's room. You want to make the art eye level to the kids.

To Do #7: If your room is small and not very opened up, add a landscape to the area. It gives the impression of having a window which opens up the space. Horizontal lines also add width to a room and vertical lines add height. Just make sure not to use both horizontal lines and vertical lines in a room. You end up cluttering up the walls and making the room look just as small as BEFORE you hung anything!

To Do #8: Hang securely. Attach the pieces securely with picture hooks rated for the weight of the object. Keep in mind you want to make sure the artwork butts up snugly against the wall. If in doubt, ask the advice of your local hardware store.

Remember these easy tips when hanging your next art piece and your room should look amazing!

Monday, February 25, 2008

What was old is new again...

Seems to be a recurring them now-a-days, eh? It seems like everything is "vintage" or "retro" now - and that is so cool! I'm completely in love with so many of the "new" old styles.

One thing that has been surprising to me is the incredible amount of wallpaper that is being used today. In the not-so-distant past, it was all about painting and tearing off all the wallpaper in favor of textured (or faux-textured) paint on the wall.

One of my favorite wallpaper designers (I can't believe I just typed that!) is Carolyn Ray. I am absolutely in awe of her latest designs! So many current designers have given wall-covering so much more interest than the kind of vinyl, washable wallpaper you may have grown up with. Wallpaper seems to have evolved like the rest of us and is available in so many styles and patterns.

Wall-covering has also made great leaps in the patterns and styles available for the juvenile age group as well. No longer are you limited to pastel stripes, polka dots or rainbows - there are limitless options available! Disney wallpapers with all of your favorite characters - from Princesses to Lightning McQueen!

No longer is a strip of wallpaper the only way to decorate your walls. Wall appliques and decals are more popular than ever! They aren't just stickers, they are (typically) removable and re-positionable.


Whatever your design style, whatever your colors - there is a wallcovering out there that will work!


Monday's Tip of the Day!
Binder clips make GREAT organizers! I found this article at Unclutterer that talks about how a label-maker and a few large binder clips can help you organize your paperwork - both at home and at the office!

Friday, February 22, 2008

TGIF!!

Yeah!! It's Friday!!!

We've noticed through the day today that many of our northeast US vendors have been closed for inclement weather - I hope that everyone is safe and warm!

So, do you have any exciting plans for this weekend? It's too cold to do much of anything around here! I hope you are all inside where it is nice and toasty.

I found these quizzes online - test your interior design knowledge!

Tomorrow, I will post another video and a tip of the day. Have a GREAT weekend and stay warm!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Meet the Staff: Shanna

Every week we will have a post about a different staff member of Interior Mall called "Meet the Staff." This is great because it gives you, our customers, a chance to get to know the sales reps you call and speak with. You get to put a name and face with a voice.

This week we are introducing Shanna.



Shanna has been working for Interior Mall since September of 2007 and she has done an excellent job. She's friendly and knowledgeable! She is also the one who decided to start this great blog of ours for your enjoyment and is the main poster on here. I sat down with Shanna a couple of days ago to learn a little more about her.

Carrie: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Shanna:
I love design and color and texture. I love researching fabrics and helping people find that perfect fabric or drapery rod or trim-whatever!

Carrie: How would you describe your interior design taste?
Shanna: I have a very eclectic style. My house doesn't follow one particular style. My living room is very rustic, with a big, rock fireplace, muted greens, blues, yellows-classic furniture, while my bedroom is hot pink, lime green, and browns.

Carrie: When not working, how do you spend your time?
Shanna: I scrapbook. A LOT. I also have 3 young children, which keep me very busy. I also enjoy cooking, reading and jewelry making.

Carrie: A little of the beaten path but what's your favorite food? (We ALL like to eat around here!)
Shanna: My favorite food is Frozen Cranberry Salad. YUM!

Make sure to check back next week for another "Meet the Staff"

Are you a FAN-atic?!?

College basketball - you either love it or you hate it, right? But (almost) everyone has their favorite team. Around our office, it is mostly the Arkansas Razorbacks . We had a great game last night against LSU! Is your office/group participating in bracketology?

Anyway... you might be wondering what college athletics has to do with home decor. You might be surprised at the many types of college-themed decor items that are out there. They go far beyond the flannel pennant of yesteryear or the neon signs of the 80's.
In our store, we carry items for almost every NCAA team in the country!

We have stained glass tiffan
y-style table lamps, floor lamps, billiard lamps ... it's lamps galore!

Have you seen the
no-sew fleece blankets that are really popular right now? They are great as gifts for fans, young and old! Throws make great accents for the TV room on those cold evenings, watching the game. They are easy enough to hide away when you don't want them out but are a great "accent piece" during whatever sports season you are into! These blankets are are also great for the smallest of fans - baby blankets. Our fleece is so warm and soft - I don't know anyone that doesn't like these. (PS - Project Linus is a GREAT cause if you're looking for an easy way to make a difference!) We also have other items for the FAN-atic - college pillows, clocks, candle holders, picture frames, suncatchers, and decorative glassware.



Today's Tip of the Day: Dust bunnies - we all hate them, right? Did you know that they actually have a use outside of being completely aggravating? Wad them all together and use them to attract other dust bunnies. The static charge within the dust ball will bring other dust bunnies to it and you can dispose of them all together!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Things on Your Wall

Most of us probably have a favorite piece of art. For some of us, it is a photo frame, for others, it may be a lithograph or print of a famous work of art. For others, it may be a kindergarten masterpiece. We have started carrying these Marsha McCarthy prints that I have absolutely fallen in LOVE with! They are such interesting pieces! There are several different ones in this collection, but the "Birth" one is my favorite. (Click here for a bigger picture) I was always a big fan of the "Children of the Inner Light" series, which is similar. I think that these prints fit with almost any decor and make great gifts! To read more about Marsha McCarthy, click here.

Often a finishing element, artwork bring a room together, brings interest to the wall spaces, provides a focal point, and generally livens up the place. Artwork can liven up a space and make it feel like home. Art reveals a space's visual and emotional impact, and show off your own personality in a room.

Tip for the Day: Artwork should be hung so that the gazing point of the picture is about eye level for most people.

Stay tuned - tomorrow's post will talk about March Madness '08!!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Trendy or Stylish?

One thing we are asked often is "do you think this look will last for a while"? Sometimes, the answer is simple - NO! But where exactly is the line between "trendy" and "stylish"? Here are some trends in interior design that we hope will stay!

"User Friendly"
Now, more than ever, we are entertaining ourselves at home. That naturally leads to the desire for a home that is comfy, cozy, casual and easy-to-keep. Our more casual lifestyle has led to rooms that are truly "functional" - the living room is for living, not keeping the antiques, the dining room is for the evening family meal, not just for when company arrives. Space is at a premium in most of our homes, so why not make the most of it?

"Environmental Decorating"
Natural fabrics, earthy colors, post-consumer content - these can all be beautiful things! Wood blinds, wool rugs, stoneware - these are all great examples. Even faux-wood blinds, surfaces that emulate stone or fruit and vegetable motifs could all be used as an example of environmental decorating. Wood flooring, skylights, rock fireplaces - all of these items have a natural element to them. With the rise in log homes and a return to a more simple life, natural elements have become very commonplace. We seem to enjoy "bringing the outdoors in", so why not bring some nature into your own home?

"Boldly Moderate"
Using neutrals for the major elements of your decor (i.e., walls, rugs, etc.) allows the opportunity to use bright, bold colors as accents, rather than as the main focus. I love this movement in design. Using a more muted palate allows you to showcase a few special accent items. It also allows you to be more versatile in your decorating. Love hot pink this spring? Use it as an accent with decor elements - then when muted orange comes in as your color of choice this fall, you aren't having to repaint and reupholster!

"Energy Efficient"
This seems to be quite a commonplace term nowadays. It is great that so many designers and manufacturers are beginning to "go green" in ways that aren't necessarily obvious by the end-use consumer. There are many ways that manufacturers do this - environmentally conscious foams, fabrics and processing methods are just a few. While this can tie into the "Environmental Decorating" section, I feel that it deserves its own. Having an energy efficient home helps not just the environment, in the long run, it can help your pocketbook in the form of savings on your heating/cooling bills, food costs and utilities. This is a great place to start learning about some of the many ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your own home.

Keeping these tips in mind should help you be able to design decor around you, as a person and be decor that will last for a long time. Everyone has their own style and what you are comfortable with is what you should choose. It's your style - be proud of it!


Today's Tip:
Do you have cushions that have lost their fluff? Try this quick tip: put it in the sun for a few hours (careful to test color-fastness on a small, inconspicuous area first!), flipping the cushion after an hour or so. This draws the moisture out of the cushion, naturally restoring the prior fluff!


Monday, February 18, 2008

Check it out!

Hey everyone! Check out the slide show of just a few products we have on our website. To get information on these products and view more make sure to visit www.interiormall.com

Happy President's Day!

Happy President's Day! A lesser-celebrated, yet no less important holiday in the United States. It's history comes from the blending of the original federally-observed holiday of Washington's Birthday and the non-federal holiday of Lincoln's Birthday. In 1971, legislation took effect that named the third Monday in February as the observation of Washington's Birthday, so as to clear up confusion for federal work schedules. Although still technically called "Washington's Birthday" (according to the Office of Personnel Management), this holiday has become "President's Day" over the past 20 years or so, in honor of all those who have served this country in that capacity.

In honor of President's Day, we would like to offer an additional 5% off of anything Red White or Blue in our store!


Saturday, February 16, 2008

Are you a holiday decorator?

Do you like to decorate for the holidays - not just Christmas? We have found some great ideas on how to decorate for Easter - and do it on a budget! It is amazing what you can do with things you find around your house, or simple accent pieces in pastel shades that can be purchased inexpensively this time of year. It makes total sense to get the most bang for your holiday decorating buck, so why not use items that can do double duty? You can even use some things as gifts for friends and family.

I would be willing to bet that there is a spare basket or two lying around your house. I know I have several that could be used for more than just storing miscellaneous junk that hasn't found a permanent home ;) Have you ever tried painting a plain, wicker basket? There are many paints available that are great for this task. It is a simple, inexpensive way to add a bit of spring to any room. Tie a spring-colored bow around the handle, fill it with decorative balls, cut flowers (fake flowers are great for this!), or if you want to go totally Easter - plastic eggs! A seasonally decorated basket on an end table is an instant way to add a bit of spring to your home.

Glass vessels are always a great decorating choice! They can be filled with simple pastel items, such as river rocks, easter candies, jelly beans, or even a few spring flowers! Plates, candle holders, bottle stoppers, decorative pillows - these items can all give a spring-like feeling without breaking your budget.

Friday, February 15, 2008

How to Measure for Curtains and Window Treatments

Here is a neat video from You Tube that illustrates how to measure your window for curtains and window treatments. There is some great info here!

Welcome!

Welcome to "As the Curtain Hangs"! This blog is an insight into the world of interior design and home decor. We are an interior decorating firm and retail showroom located in Barling, Arkansas. We also have an internet presence. We have been looking for a creative outlet to share tips and "how-to" instructions that we have picked up on our journeys 'round the sun. In celebration of our blog-beginnings, we would like to offer free shipping to our customers who read about us here through March 1. We will be posting daily with tips and other fun things. You never know what you may run across here!

Unusual Use of Tension Rod

My favorite decorating tip that I use myself: use a tension rod in your pantry to separate your cookie sheets and other flat pans. It works just like you had those fancy slots in your cabinets - tension rods are cheap. Just measure your shelf height and buy the right tension rod. This idea came from Martha Stewart. Tension Rods at InteriorMall.com